Screw bedspring tighteners



Q Q om N L. F. BENDER SCREW BEDSPRING TIGI-ITENERS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 13, 1955 Filed March 20, 1952 INVENTOR.

LLOYD F. BENDER ATTORNEY NIN om\wm\ A F..

Dec. 13, 1955 L, F. BENDER SCREW BEDSPRING TIGHTENERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 20, 1952 INVENTOR.

LLOYD F. BENDER ATTORNEY United States Patent SCREW BEDSPRING TIGHTENERS Lloyd F. Bender, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio Application March 20, 1952, Serial No. 277,613 6 Claims. (Cl. 5--222) This invention relates to bedsprings, and particularly bedsprings of the type having closely spaced coil springs interconnected at the tops thereof and connected at the top outer edges of the same to a marginal retaining frame of heavy wire, which to a limited degree is depressible with the outermost coil springs.

Heretofore, such bedsprings have had one objectionable feature in that there has been no suitable means to control the resiliency of the same under the pressure of a person reclining thereon. This has been a disadvantage because some people like a bed which is' fairly hard while others by choice or necessity prefer a relatively soft bed.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved coil-type bedspring including simple means by which the body-supporting resiliency thereof may be readily adjusted.

Other objects of the invention will be manifest from the following brief description and the accompanying drawings.

Of the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view, with removed parts indicated in chain-dotted lines, illustrating a bedspring embodying the features of the invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse cross-section thereof, taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Figure 1, and showing an adjustable spring-tensioning device.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of a portion of said spring-tensioning device, as viewed substantially on the line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a modified form of the bedspring embodying the features of the invention.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary View of a modified form of attaching means for the spring-tensioning device.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 to 3 the bedspring is of conventional type wherein a plurality of closely spaced coil springs 11, 11 are suitably supported upright in rows on a rigid rectangular bottom frame 12, the upper ends of adjacent coil springs being yieldingly interconnected, as by means' of flexible spring-tensioning devices 13, and the upper ends of the outermost coil springs being flexibly secured to a top marginal frame 14 of rectangular shape. The top frame is of heavy wire adapted to hold the coils within the contines thereof but having a suflicient degree of exibility to conform to depression of adjacent coil springs under the weight of a person sitting or lying on the bedspring.

Secured between opposite side lengths 15 and 16 of top frame 14 may be a plurality of rigid cross-braces 17 which extend between adjacent rows of the coil springs. Each cross-brace may comprise a rigid U- shaped part 18, which extends substantially the full width of the frame, and a part 19 which has a downward extension 20 provided with a threaded hole 21 for reception of one end of a turnbuckle screw 22, the other end of which is oppositely threaded through an aligned screw hole 22a in an upturned end 23 of said part 18. The

rmice outer end of turnbuckle screw 22 is provided with a turning head 24 removably to receive a socket 25 of a handled turning tool 26 (see Figure 2). The U-shape of part 18 provides a downward oif-set in the major portion of the cross-brace 17, so that a relatively heavy body on the bedspring may depress intermediate or central portions of the bedspring to a substantial extent without striking the cross-brace.

For Securing the outer ends of the cross-bar parts 1S and 19 to top frame 14 said outer ends may be extended in the form of looped portions 27 of substantial width adapted to embracejthe frame portions 15 or 16, and terminating in inturned flanges 28 in spaced parallelism to at upper portions 29 of the parts. The flanges 28 and at portions 29 are clamped together to grip said frame portions, as by means of bolts 3i), 30 received through aligned apertures therein (see Figures 2 and 3).

Although Figure 1 shows a bedspring utilizing three cross-braces 17 it is' to be understood that one or more of the same may be utilized in accordance with the requirements of particular bedsprings.

In use of the bedspring 17, shown in Figures 1 to 3, the resiliency or softness thereof is easily Varied to suit the requirements of particular individuals by applying a key or turning-tool 26 to the outer end of turnbuckle screw 22, and turning the same in the desired direction. Turning the screw 22 in one direction lengthens the respective cross-bar to separate the sides 15 and 16 of the top frame, thereby applying lateral tension or stretch to the interconnected tops of the coil springs and increasing the effective resiliency or resistance of the springs with respect to a given downward pressure thereon. Conversely rotation of the screw in the opposite direction will draw the sides 15 and 16 together to lessen said resiliency of the coil springs. This feature is particularly advantageous for making adjustments to suit invalids, for example, and in some instances it may be desirable to vary the resiliency of dilerent portions of the bedspring by adjusting the respective cross-braces accordingly.

Figure 4 shows a bedspring substantially like that shown in Figures 1 to 3, including the adjustable crossbraces 17. In order to off-set inward or outward bowing of the side portions of top frame 14a, however, the same is split or separated at each corner thereof and the spaced ends are oppositely threaded to receive opposite ends of a turnbuckle 32. For this purpose` each split corner of frame 14a may constitute a straight portion arranged at forty-live degree angles to the adjacent sides of the frame, as shown. Thus, upon expanding the cross-braces 17 outwardly, for example, to increase the resiliency of the coil spn'ngs a bowing out of the side portions 15a may be straightened by turning the turnbuckles at the respective corners `to further expand the frame. It will be obvious that in certain bedsprings the turnbuckles 32 may be provided at the corners of the top frame without use of cross-braces 17, to aifect selective adjustment for expansion and contraction of the top frame and thereby to vary the resiliency of the bedspring. All forms of the invention described above may be similarly used in connection with box-type bedspn'ngs, which are fabric encased.

Figure 5 shows an other method of fastening the previously described cros's-brace parts 18 and 19 to the top frame sides 15 and 16, wherein separate clips 27a are looped around said sides and have opposite ends clamped together against out-turned portions 29a of the respective cross-brace parts, by means of spaced bolts 30a (as shown in Figures 3 and 4).

Other modications of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination in a bedspringV having a plurality of depressible upstanding coil springs' arranged in spaced rows thereof, adjacent portions of the upper ends of the springs being flexibly connected to each other and outer portions of the upper ends thereof being connected to a rectangular upper marginal frame of relatively stiff but flexible, elongated material, of at least one rigid cross-brace extended laterally between adjacent rows of said coils and attached at opposite ends thereof to opposite sides of said marginal frame, each said crossbrace being in laterally separable parts, adjustable means for rigidly connecting said separable parts and adjustable to vary the spacing of said opposite sides of the marginal frame and thereby to vary the lateral restraining tension applied to said coils through said flexible connections.

2. The combination in a bedspring having a plurality of depressible upstanding coil springs arranged in spaced rows thereof, adjacent portions of the upper ends of brace extended laterally between adjacent rows of said coils and attached at opposite ends thereof to opposite sides of said marginal frame, each said cross-brace being in laterally separable parts, adjustable means for rigidly connecting said separable parts and adjustable to vary the spacing of said opposite sides of the marginal frame and thereby to vary the lateral restraining tension applied to said coils through said flexible connections, said adjustable means comprising portions on adjacent ends of said separable parts` provided with opposite hand threaded recesses, a tightening rod having corresponding oppositely threaded portions received in said recesses, and turning means on the outer end of said rod.

3. The combination in a bedspring having a plurality of depressible upstanding coil springs arranged in spaced rows' thereof, adjacent portions of the upper ends of the springs being flexibly connected to each other and outer portions of the upper ends thereof being connected to a rectangular upper marginal frame of relatively stiff but flexible, elongated material, of at least one rigid cross-brace extended laterally between adjacent rows of said coils and attached at opposite ends thereof to opposite sides of said marginal frame, each said crossbrace being in laterally separable parts, adjustable means for rigidly connecting said separable parts and adjustable to vary the spacing of said opposite sides of the marginal` frame and thereby to vary the lateral restraining tension applied to said coils through said flexible connections, said adjustable means comprising portions on adjacent ends of said separable parts provided with opposite hand threaded recesses, a tightening rod having corresponding oppositely threaded portions received in said recesses, and turning means on the outer end of said rod, said parts each having at the outer ends thereof opposed jaws having portions' embracing said frame at the points of said attachment thereto, and screwthreaded means for clamping said jaws together.

4. The combination in a bedspring having a plurality of depressible upstanding coil springs arranged in spaced rows thereof, adjacent portions of the upper ends of the springs being tlexibly connected to each other and outer portions of the upper ends thereof being connected to a rectangular upper marginal frame of relatively stiff but flexible, elongated material, of at least one rigid crossbrace extended laterally between adjacent rows of said coils and attached at opposite ends thereof to opposite sides of said marginal frame, each said cross-brace being in laterally separable parts, adjustable means for rigidly connecting said parts and adjustable to vary the spacing of said opposite sides of the marginal frame and thereby to vary the lateral restraining tension applied to said coils through said flexible connections, said adjustable rneans comprising portions on adjacent ends of said separable` parts provided with opposite hand threaded recesses, a tightening rod having corresponding oppositely threaded portions received in said recesses, and turning means on the outer end of said rod, the major portion of the length of said cross-brace being U-shaped to off-set the same substantially below the plane of said frame.

5. A bedspring comprising a plurality of depressible upstanding coil springs having adjacent portions of the upper ends thereof flexibly connected to each other and outer portions of the upper ends thereof connected to a rectangular upper marginal frame of relatively stiff but flexible, elongated material, the corners of said rectangular frame being straight angular portions thereof connecting adjacent sides ofthe upper marginal frame at obtuse angles, said straight angular portions being split to provide pairs of separable ends, said pairs of separable ends being oppositely threaded and having turnbucltles adjustably threaded on the same, each said turnbucltle thereby being adjustable for expanding and contracting the frame in two angularly disposed directions.

6. A bedspring comprising a plurality of depressible upstanding coil springs arranged in spaced rows thereof, adjacent portions of the upper ends of the springs being flexibly connected to each other and outer portions of the upper ends thereof being connected to a rectangular upper marginal frame of relatively stiff but flexible, elongated material, the corners of said rectangular frame being straight angular portions thereof connecting adjacent sides of the upper marginal frame at obtuse angles, said straight angular portions' being split to provide pairs of separable ends, said pairs of separable ends being oppositely threaded and having turnbuckles adjustably threaded on the same, each said turnbuckle thereby being adjustable for expanding and contracting the frame in two angularly disposed directions at least one rigid cross-brace extended laterally between adjacent rows of said coils and' attached at opposite ends thereof to opposite sides of said marginal frame, each said cross-brace being in laterally separable parts, adjustable means for rigidly connecting said separable parts and. adjustable to vary the spacing of said opposite sides of the marginal frame and thereby to vary the lateral restraining tension applied to said coils through said flexible connections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 272,076 Mueller Feb. 1.3, 1883 547,690 Strauss Oct. 8, 1895 661,959 Dilts Nov. 20, 1900 FOREIGN PATENTS 800,893 Germany Dec. 14, 1950 

